Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has tipped Liverpool to be the dark horses of this year's edition of the Champions League.

The Reds will mark their return to Europe's elite club competition after a four-year exile by hosting Bulgarian champions Ludogorets at Anfield on Wednesday morning (Singapore time).

Despite their absence from the Champions League, Scholes - who has two Champions League medals from United's wins in 1999 and 2008 - believes his former foes can add to their five European Cup wins by leveraging on their fearsome home support.

Anfield edge

Speaking as a pundit for ITV, the ex-midfielder said: "Liverpool are the dark horse of the competition this year.

"(Liverpool manager) Brendan Rodgers has done a fantastic job. The style of play he's adopted is exciting to watch and the players seem to have taken to him. I feel they will do well with the players they have.